Continuing the review of Job's Body, we find in the introduction (pp. xxviii-xxxi) a discussion of the importance of subjective data regarding our health. We have been discouraged from applying "how we feel" to our diagnosis of our health and replaced it with objective data about the state of our health. Data such as weight and body fat (BMI), cholesterol levels along with a full battery of blood analysis is used to tell us whether we are healthy and to suggest medication and/or dietary changes necessary for us to meet the health norms. Juhan states that, "Behind that acculturated blindness lies the reason for most of the ailments, diseases and strokes that typify contemporary culture".
Rather than discounting the information provided by science, Juhan would suggest that we add to that our own awareness of the sensations that precede, accompany and follow changes in our physical wellbeing. His point to bodyworkers is that the body work "delivers self-awareness rather than pharmaceuticals or scalpels" to aid in making the changes necessary for health.
It has become my personal stance that we need to take full responsibility for our heath, our fitness, and our aging, if we expect to live full vibrant lives throughout, no matter what the age. In fact, that is the primary objective of this blog. I want to be fully aware of all information available from all sources, in order to make the best decisions based on self awareness. There are dangers in this approach, but much less dangerous than to allow the medical community to do this for us, using the same incomplete information.
One of my favorite lines relative to the role of science in our lives comes from The Fourth Way by P.D. Ouspensky, as he attempts to lay out the teachings of G. I. Gurdjieff. Paraphrasing what Ouspensky says about science: "Science is not a cloudy picture of a real world, but a very clear picture of an unreal world." Suggesting that science does not tell the full story, in fact, obscures the full story.
In making the case for self awareness, Juhan states, "Far from being mere hedonism, 'the improvement of sensual pleasure' is self-serving in the broadest, most enlightened and responsible sense of the word. It implies an intimate embrace of the good things that both physical and mental sides of life have to offer, and a desire to enjoy those goodnesses with others".
Rather than citing examples from each and every one of my sources to support the above, I will make just a few comments. It is apparent to me that all movement modalities and/or manipulation therapies have at their base an enhancement of self awareness that in itself is movement towards health. Taijiquan and yoga directly bring awareness to our body's alignment, release of tension and an increase in essential energy called qi and prana respectively. Alexander Technique and Body Mind Centering are even more focused on the elements of self responsibility and self awareness in their contribution to letting the body heal itself.
In the movement system expounded in Supple Leopard there is equal treatment given to correct exercise techniques along with the maintenance of suppleness in connective tissue and joints. The level of attention given to the proper care of the body before, during and after exercise brings the Supple Leopard to the same level of self awareness that may seem more integral to the more meditative movement systems.
Not one of my stated sources, but a current source of information is Ken Wibur's, "A Brief History of Everything." I have taken from my current reading that changes in "World Views" is an evolutionary process and that there are signs that we are moving from a current "Rational/Industrial" world view to a post-rational world view; which, in my opinion, may very well included subjective self awareness as relevant in determining our state of health and how we attain and maintain it at an optimal level.
Sunday, May 10, 2015
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Excerpts from Job's Body and connection to Taijiquan
Job's Body by Deanne Juhan makes the connection between bodywork and taijiquan. While most of the content is anatomy and physiology, the author never fails to note the interconnectedness of the systems of our A&P. Below are some excerpts to stoke your interest in exploring this resource more fully.
In the preface (pp xxii) Juhan discusses what body work can do. To paraphrase, he says, "Manual manipulation does result in mechanical changes which can relax muscles, free up joints and restore fuller range of pain free motion, but we are also a confluence of physics, chemistry, consciousness streams and quanta of energies that interpenetrate each other in complex ways".
(pp. xxv-xxvi) Again paraphrasing: "Thru friction on the skin, pressure on deep tissue, distortion of tissue surrounding joints, the organism perceives itself and, thereby, organizes its internal and external muscular responses. This sense of self becomes habitual and does not let us know when such movements may be harmful, as in misalignment, or cause unnecessary muscular tension". Juhan suggests that skillful touching of a manual manipulation therapist can penetrate this blockage and allow the body to heal. Trying to do this for oneself can be self defeating because of deep seated postural habits , sensory cues and mental images that tell us that all is normal.
Taijiquan note: Fong Song, roughly translated as release to loosen, is a common taijiquan dictum for the release of obstructions and tension which allows for the free flowing of these "quanta of energies", and is one description of qi (energy or life force).
Alexander Technique Note: The Alexander Technique refers to "Faulty Sensory Perception" in insisting that a client cannot self correct postural alignment problems or faulty "use of the self." Only through the releasing of postural and movement habits and relearning new ones, can changes take place. Hands on assistance by an Alexander Technique practitioner is critical to success. Alexander Technique describes, basically, the same precise alignment recommendations as you will find in yoga and taijiquan (see note below)
Taijiquan and yoga note: Tai Chi and Yoga use long term movement and stance practice to bring about the release of habitual misalignment and resultant tensions.
In Taijiquan it all starts with the 4 principles of alignment, 3 movement principle and 3 principle of harmonizing of the mind. These are clearly described in Yang Yang's book Taijiquan, Art of Nurturing, the Science of Power, reviewed in this blog.
Anatomy Trains note: Describes the changes that take place at the cellular level and in the extracellular matrix (ECM) through repetitive movements. Collagen may be laid down by fibroblasts in response to stress that is registered as a piezo-electric affect in the cells. In the bone osteoblasts lay down new bone in response mechanical stress and osteoclasts eat bone in the absence of stress. The result of these processes is a permanent change in the connective tissue and bone from repetitive movements. Permanent is a relative term, in that, over time, a change in movement patterns can again change the structure of the connective tissue.
Sensing, Feeling and Action note: Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen might describe such changes as "repatterning" which takes place in the presence of the body mind centering as described in her BMC approach.
Molecules of Emotion note: The question to ask is "what is the contribution of the neural feedback loop that includes neuropeptides and neuro-receptors, in how we feel as we move, learn and adapt in the use of our body (mind).
In the preface (pp xxii) Juhan discusses what body work can do. To paraphrase, he says, "Manual manipulation does result in mechanical changes which can relax muscles, free up joints and restore fuller range of pain free motion, but we are also a confluence of physics, chemistry, consciousness streams and quanta of energies that interpenetrate each other in complex ways".
(pp. xxv-xxvi) Again paraphrasing: "Thru friction on the skin, pressure on deep tissue, distortion of tissue surrounding joints, the organism perceives itself and, thereby, organizes its internal and external muscular responses. This sense of self becomes habitual and does not let us know when such movements may be harmful, as in misalignment, or cause unnecessary muscular tension". Juhan suggests that skillful touching of a manual manipulation therapist can penetrate this blockage and allow the body to heal. Trying to do this for oneself can be self defeating because of deep seated postural habits , sensory cues and mental images that tell us that all is normal.
Taijiquan note: Fong Song, roughly translated as release to loosen, is a common taijiquan dictum for the release of obstructions and tension which allows for the free flowing of these "quanta of energies", and is one description of qi (energy or life force).
Alexander Technique Note: The Alexander Technique refers to "Faulty Sensory Perception" in insisting that a client cannot self correct postural alignment problems or faulty "use of the self." Only through the releasing of postural and movement habits and relearning new ones, can changes take place. Hands on assistance by an Alexander Technique practitioner is critical to success. Alexander Technique describes, basically, the same precise alignment recommendations as you will find in yoga and taijiquan (see note below)
Taijiquan and yoga note: Tai Chi and Yoga use long term movement and stance practice to bring about the release of habitual misalignment and resultant tensions.
In Taijiquan it all starts with the 4 principles of alignment, 3 movement principle and 3 principle of harmonizing of the mind. These are clearly described in Yang Yang's book Taijiquan, Art of Nurturing, the Science of Power, reviewed in this blog.
Anatomy Trains note: Describes the changes that take place at the cellular level and in the extracellular matrix (ECM) through repetitive movements. Collagen may be laid down by fibroblasts in response to stress that is registered as a piezo-electric affect in the cells. In the bone osteoblasts lay down new bone in response mechanical stress and osteoclasts eat bone in the absence of stress. The result of these processes is a permanent change in the connective tissue and bone from repetitive movements. Permanent is a relative term, in that, over time, a change in movement patterns can again change the structure of the connective tissue.
Sensing, Feeling and Action note: Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen might describe such changes as "repatterning" which takes place in the presence of the body mind centering as described in her BMC approach.
Molecules of Emotion note: The question to ask is "what is the contribution of the neural feedback loop that includes neuropeptides and neuro-receptors, in how we feel as we move, learn and adapt in the use of our body (mind).
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
The Evolution of Fitness for the Ageless
Post #2 and I am moving in a new direction already. I realized from the first post that I don't want to post detailed information from my sources. I will instead review my sources in detail on the pages headed with the source names, e.g. Anatomy Trains by Thomas Myers. Those pages will have a brief summary of why they are included in my investigation followed by the detailed page reviews that I find relevant to my study of the science of taijiquan. This give me much more leeway in what information I site without burdening posts with scientific jargon and concepts that may be only peripherally related to the topic. Post will make liberal use of links to my reviewed sources as well as to other sources that readers are encourage to explore as their time and interest allows.
My blogging skills are a work in progress. If I wait until I have them and the blog looks the way I imagine it, I may never get another post published; so I am going to post this now. I don't actually have anyone following my post, as I have not even given the link to family or close friends in my tai chi community. Basically I am posting now to keep myself moving and to clarify what it is that I actually want in my blog. I may not post again until I get the basic source materials summarized in my page links, but we shall see.
My blogging skills are a work in progress. If I wait until I have them and the blog looks the way I imagine it, I may never get another post published; so I am going to post this now. I don't actually have anyone following my post, as I have not even given the link to family or close friends in my tai chi community. Basically I am posting now to keep myself moving and to clarify what it is that I actually want in my blog. I may not post again until I get the basic source materials summarized in my page links, but we shall see.
Monday, March 2, 2015
Welcome to my first post
My first post will be a welcome to all interested persons that are curious about what makes tai chi work in creating a health body, mind and spirit. I will try to avoid using posts to define terms or draw summary conclusions. Post will only be used to present detailed information obtained from sources that are being researched. Links to the sources and blog page links to definitions and conclusions will be used to expand the posts and draw conclusions.
Jumping in with a post in the middle of a review of one of my source books, will seem a bit disjointed at first, but in time, the purpose of posting will become clearer. I have previously read and footnoted all of the books that I have selected as my initial source books. To get started, it might be a good idea to check out the links to these books, which will explain the special place each book has in my research and why I am pulling out the following information presented in this and other posts.
I won't repeat the following disclaimer in future posts, as I have included a general disclaimer in the description of my blog purpose and process. But, I feel a need to state it once more in this first post. I have an educated background in anatomy and physiology that allows me to understand the material I am reading, but I am far from an expert in the subjects that I am reviewing. My knowledge in a variety of subjects related to anatomy, physiology and movement systems allows me to see the connections that MAY exist. It is the purpose of this blog to present these connections so that others can consider them within their own knowledge base and experience and to comment as to where they agree or disagree. I consider this blog to be as much about my education as it is about me presenting facts. In order to not get bogged down with scientific rationale for every entry, I am going to throw out information as I see it and let the reader use what seems relevant and accurate. So, of course, I encourage responses that correct what I have written as well as add to what I have written. I will include such corrections and additions in future posts.
I am currently reviewing Anatomy Trains by Thomas Myers. I began rereading and re-reviewing this book some time ago as the first of my rereading for posting after having read through the book over the past two years. I picked this book first for blog posting because it gets to the root of the anatomy and physiology that relates to unifying concepts with tai chi.
In the first chapter, pg. 18-23, Myers discusses the "Building of the Body", as an adaptation to the stresses that are placed upon it. Osteoclasts and osteoblasts work together to create connective tissue, e.g. bone, that reflects the stresses that are put on it. Piezo-electric charges result from pressure applied to connective tissue. Bone that is piezo-electrically charged will adapt differently from bone that is not. Osteoclasts clean up old bone that is not piezo-electrically charged, and osteoblasts lays down new bone that is piezo-electrically charges. Through the give and take of these two processes, bone and connective tissue will make slow changes to adapt to the stress or lack of stress that is put on it.
Tai Chi Commentary: Repetitive movements with coiling forces at the joints, combined with bracing contractions needed to stabilize alignment, create an environment for connective tissue adaptation. Taijiquan is characterized by repetitive movements that are efficient and aligned for maximum stability. This will be a major theme in analyzing taijiquan and its benefits for health.
Future posts will present additional references to how the body builds itself, but it is not the intent of posts to present all of the scientific detail and supporting evidence. Rather, it is intended that the interested reader would go to the source material for further reading.
Jumping in with a post in the middle of a review of one of my source books, will seem a bit disjointed at first, but in time, the purpose of posting will become clearer. I have previously read and footnoted all of the books that I have selected as my initial source books. To get started, it might be a good idea to check out the links to these books, which will explain the special place each book has in my research and why I am pulling out the following information presented in this and other posts.
I won't repeat the following disclaimer in future posts, as I have included a general disclaimer in the description of my blog purpose and process. But, I feel a need to state it once more in this first post. I have an educated background in anatomy and physiology that allows me to understand the material I am reading, but I am far from an expert in the subjects that I am reviewing. My knowledge in a variety of subjects related to anatomy, physiology and movement systems allows me to see the connections that MAY exist. It is the purpose of this blog to present these connections so that others can consider them within their own knowledge base and experience and to comment as to where they agree or disagree. I consider this blog to be as much about my education as it is about me presenting facts. In order to not get bogged down with scientific rationale for every entry, I am going to throw out information as I see it and let the reader use what seems relevant and accurate. So, of course, I encourage responses that correct what I have written as well as add to what I have written. I will include such corrections and additions in future posts.
I am currently reviewing Anatomy Trains by Thomas Myers. I began rereading and re-reviewing this book some time ago as the first of my rereading for posting after having read through the book over the past two years. I picked this book first for blog posting because it gets to the root of the anatomy and physiology that relates to unifying concepts with tai chi.
In the first chapter, pg. 18-23, Myers discusses the "Building of the Body", as an adaptation to the stresses that are placed upon it. Osteoclasts and osteoblasts work together to create connective tissue, e.g. bone, that reflects the stresses that are put on it. Piezo-electric charges result from pressure applied to connective tissue. Bone that is piezo-electrically charged will adapt differently from bone that is not. Osteoclasts clean up old bone that is not piezo-electrically charged, and osteoblasts lays down new bone that is piezo-electrically charges. Through the give and take of these two processes, bone and connective tissue will make slow changes to adapt to the stress or lack of stress that is put on it.
Tai Chi Commentary: Repetitive movements with coiling forces at the joints, combined with bracing contractions needed to stabilize alignment, create an environment for connective tissue adaptation. Taijiquan is characterized by repetitive movements that are efficient and aligned for maximum stability. This will be a major theme in analyzing taijiquan and its benefits for health.
Future posts will present additional references to how the body builds itself, but it is not the intent of posts to present all of the scientific detail and supporting evidence. Rather, it is intended that the interested reader would go to the source material for further reading.
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